From February 5 to 8, 2024, I.C. Sottomarina Nord hosted STEAM4ALL, a four-day marathon of activities dedicated to sustainability and inclusion. The entire school community was involved — from preschool children to primary pupils and lower secondary students — in workshops and hands-on experiences that brought STEAM learning to life.
The National STEM Week, established by the Italian Senate in 2023, aims to tackle gender stereotypes and the persistent gap between the number of girls and boys choosing scientific disciplines. Initiatives like STEAM4ALL make this goal tangible: they create spaces where students can encounter science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics in meaningful ways, and imagine a future shaped by their own conscious choices.
I had the privilege of opening the event together with Dr. Anna Polato. I shared my perspective as a PhD candidate in Information Engineering at the University of Padua, where I focus on educational robotics, while Dr. Polato presented her work on robotics and AI at the service of people.
What I appreciated most was the curiosity of the students and their willingness to take part in the activities. Their questions and participation showed how valuable it is to introduce STEAM subjects early, not only to build knowledge, but also to foster creativity and a sense of responsibility.
